Improvement in baths



J. KETZSOHER.

Bath.

Patehted A ril 9,1878.

WITNESSES NVE TOR ATTORNEY N. PETERS. PHOTO LITHOGRAPHER WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOHN KETZSOHER, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

IM PROVEMENT IN BATHS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,270, dated April 9, 1878; application filed February 16, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN KETzscHER, of Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Baths; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a top view of my improved bath with the lid partly broken away. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section thereof. Fig. 3 is a detached view of the metallic box.

This invention has relation to improvements in vapor-baths.

The nature of the invention consists in certain novel combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In the annexed drawings, the letter A designates a cabinet of suitable size, having a hinged front and lid, lettered, respectively, B and B. The lid is provided near its hinged edge with alarge circular aperture, a, and at each side thereof with guideways b, in which are arranged, after the manner of a sash, the sliding half-doors C. These latter are provided upon their adjacent edges with a semicircular notch, c, which, together, form an aperture sufiiciently large to admit the neck of a patient when the said doors are brought together. The patient is seated during the bath upon a chair, D, that is supported at a suitable distance from the rear wall of the cabinet by a bracket, E. The chair-bottom is slatted to allow the vapors to reach everyport-ion of the body, and has a screw-threaded standard, d, that engages a corresponding sleevenut, cl, upon the bracket E. By turning the seat it will readily adjust itself higher or lower, to suit various-sized patients.

6 represents a back-rest secured to the rear wall, and projecting a sufficient distance therefrom to prevent the patient from leaning against the cabinet, thus allowing a current of vapor to pass upward behind him, and yet affording him the needed support.

The bottom of the cabinet is formed of spaced slats F, and over this is placed a grating, F, the bars of which are sufficiently wide to close the spaces between the slats of the true bottom, and which has endwise motion relative thereto. The grating F has at one side a ratchet or rack-bar, f, with which a vibrating lever, Gr, fulcrumed on the side of the cabinet and provided with a cogged segment, g, is engaged. The power-arm of the lever Gr is within convenient reach of the patient, and he is able to regulate the supply of vapor at pleasure, or to out it off altogether, by manipulating the said lever in the proper direction. Underneath the register-bottom F F before described is a close bottom, H, of funnel-like form, having at its lowest point a discharge spout or opening, h, and in the space between the grating and said bottom a furnace, J, from which the products of combustion escape through a pipe, I, passing under the grating, through the side of the cabinet, into a suitable stack. Above the furnace, in the space aforesaid, is placed a semi-cylindrical hood, K, having numerous perforations, 6, formed in it. This hood extends from end to end of the furnace.

The chemicals used in the bath are passed between the furnace and the distributinghood, through an opening, j, in the cabinetwall just above said furnace, in a metallic box, L, having a long handle, I, and may be emp tied upon the top of the said furnace or retained in the box, as maybe most convenient. The mouth of the furnace and the opening j above the same are closed by one and the same door, M. The patient enters the cabinet through the door 13, the lid B being thrown back, and, the seat being adjusted to the patients height, takes his seat thereon. The lid and door are then closed, and the sliding halfdoors adjusted to his neck. The interior of the cabinet is raised to a proper temperature and the vapors rise, being distributed by the hood to all parts of the same, and every portion of the body is subjected to their influence. Perspiration speedily ensues, and rolls off the body of the patient copiously. It passes through the grating upon the funnel-like floor, and is discharged from the aperture at its lowest point into a suitable receptacle. The perspiration, which, in diseased persons 1s often very offensive, is thus prevented from drying in the cabinet, to the manifest discomfort of a subsequent occupant of the bath. This form of bottom also renders the interior of the cabinet Very easy to clean out as all impurities are carried by the inclines of the bottom out of the corners and angles and discharged at the opening.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- In a vapor-bath, the combination, With a cabinet having a slatted bottom and a furnace under said bottom, of an endwise-sliding grating having a rack-bar, and a lever having a segmental toothed end substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN KETZSCHER. Witnesses:

F. G. REED, Z. ALEXANDER. 

